The homeless man has a point. I'm sure he was very appreciative of the boots and the officer's kindness. I also not that the boots are now priced at $100 instead of the $74 posted on the original article. The officer is a wonderful man with a good heart, but maybe doesn't understand some of the mentality of street people. There are actually people out there that would kill him to get his boots, probably not to wear themselves, but to sell for a few bucks. He wasn't safe keeping them.

So, what's the point here? I don't know. Right now, I have nothing but praise for this fine officer. It's hard to see people suffer and not want to help. Possibly an old discarded pair of boots would hav done as well.

Oh I praise the officer.I am just hoping there will be people who will read this article and see just how far the gratitude really went.Not being satisfied there the homeless man wants royalties from youTube.

It sounds like he might also be mentally ill. And, it is a real danger that he will be robbed or attacked especially since it's been publicized so much. I don't think it's the case of a man feeling entitled.

But this doesn't want me to stop helping people and shouldn't cause others to. Although, helping social programs that will get the homeless off the street and the like are better than just giving to individuals.

The idea that the poor feel entitled, are living that life by choice, or that they don't deserve help from the rest of us, really raises my hackles. This man served honorably for 5 years in the military and certainly does not deserve to live like this. Whether it's drugs, alcohol, or a mental condition, I'm sure he doesn't live this life by choice. Many, or even, most of us, could be in this situation were it not for the society supports of family, friends, church, and government.

You commented at one point that no one deserves to live like this. Then, you seem to contradict this by saying drugs and alcohol are a choice. First, you don't know that this person uses drugs or alcohol. But, then you seem to be saying the homeless deserve their status if they are addicted to drugs and alcohol? If so, be assured that addiction is absolutely not a choice. Many well educated and influential people became addicted and had to go through treatment ( Remember Betty Ford?) Now, let's look at the fact that this homeless person was a 5 year military veteran. Some of the horrors these people have gone through lead to addiction.

This statement about a person life situation being a choice is been used with poor people, gay and lesbian people, mentally disabled, and those with alcohol and drug dependencies. Helping these people is not a gift to them, but to society.

This is my last post as these back and forth comments go nowhere. But, you did post this to get comments. You got mine.

I'm not getting the "owed more" vibe from that article. All I'm seeing is a man saying that he never asked for any of this attention that other people are profiting from. And, honestly, I think that's fair. How much profit has the media made from this? If someone wanted to 'help' perhaps they should give him the cut of the profits reaped because of his story and situation. Instead, he got a pair of boots that could cost him his life.

Before you a puppy and a homeless man are dying from a poison they both unknowingly consumed. You have an antidote, but only enough to save one of them. Who do you save? How do you justify your choice?